These few plays changed everything in Alabama's 24-10 win over LSU

These Alabama-LSU games tend to get ugly. For years, they played somewhat similar styles -- running the ball well and specializing in stopping the run.

This year was different because the Tigers weren't among the better defenses in stopping ground games. Troy ran for more than 200 on this group and ranked 47th nationally before Saturday. And Alabama was the No. 7 running offense in the country. So, mismatch, right?

Nope. LSU, coached by a defensive line specialist in Ed Orgeron, held the Crimson Tide 57 yards below its previous low rushing performance of the season. The three running backs averaged 3.5 yards a run and didn't break one longer than 11. Damien Harris, Alabama's big-play back with eight runs of 20-plus yards, had a long of 8 yards.

That is a recipe for an upset considering Alabama's hot and cold passing game. Then consider Jalen Hurts had a 2-for-10 slump in the middle of the game and this sounds even more like LSU had a shot at ending the series skid.

At 11-for-24, Hurts' passing numbers don't tell the complete story.

No, Alabama won 24-10 behind the passing micro-bursts on the three touchdown drives.

And a few plays changed everything.

Those touchdown possessions covered a combined 183 yards -- 136 of which came via throws. Hurts was 7-for-8 on those drives (4-for-16 otherwise) and had clutch moments.

All three scoring marches required conversion on third-and-long requiring a pass. The two first half touchdowns were possible because of completions to Ridley that covered 15 and 24 yards, respectively. Cam Sims' lone reception came on third and nine in the third quarter, gaining 15 yards.

Alabama is 2-for-11 on the other third downs in the game.

It also included the 47-yard completion to Henry Ruggs III to set up the first score. That was the first true deep ball completed by Alabama since the opener with Florida State.

Both Orgeron and Nick Saban said Alabama handled the LSU man-to-man defense well in those critical passing situations.

Saban also didn't hold back on the rushing game problems.

"It wasn't good," he said.

LSU certainly was a factor in that equation. Saban said the Tigers played "mint" defense with eight men in the box.

Looking back at the video from Saturday night, the Tigers often had seven defenders selling out on the run with six Alabama players in to block. There were also missed assignments like the time Bo Scarbrough was tackled five yards behind the line when Arden Key was untouched between tight end Irv Smith Jr., and left tackle Jonah Williams.

Opening a second-quarter possession, Alabama appeared to try to loosen the box with a fake screen pass to Harris. It pulled a linebacker out of the middle of the field for Hurts to run behind a pulling Smith Jr. The play went for no gain, however, when outside linebacker Arden Key came unblocked to stuff it.

Harris' long run of the night came on the third possession when the Tigers had just six in the box against six blockers. The junior ran it eight yards, breaking one tackle.

Later, Alabama used a read-option with Hurts to break a 19-yard run to open a second-quarter drive. He followed the left tackle Williams for what would be Alabama's longest running play of the night. It was also the only Tide first down in a four-possession slump that gained just 35 combined yards.

That skid ended with Alabama's third touchdown drive when the passing game came back to form, gaining 46 of the 56 yard on the march.

Hurts was also sacked a season-high four times when LSU sent more rushers than Alabama had blockers. Sometimes it comes down to numbers and that works both ways. The Tigers sent an extra pass rusher on the third-and-11 conversion to Ridley on Alabama's first touchdown drive.

It was a night when Alabama had to lean more on that passing game with LSU choking off running lanes.

The Tide injury situation at linebacker also changes the dynamic of this team moving forward. With starter Shaun Dion Hamilton out for the year and key back up Mack Wilson tweeting about having foot surgery Sunday, this figures to be a team that'll lean a little more on the offense moving forward.

Alabama travels to Mississippi State (No. 7 defense) next and Auburn (No. 14 defense) to close the regular season. Should those go well, the Tide would get Georgia's No. 4 defense in the SEC title game.

Michael Casagrande is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande.